Yeah, trudat! The only thing I have to be conserned with is that the screwcap which holds the spring and flint in will sometimes partially loosen. This maybe is happening more as I keep the lighter loose in my pocket. But I really like it so far!
And don’t set your car on fire with them matches!
a Box of matches 
@Micheltn, agree 100000%
come on now wooden matches are for cigars not pipes
and I sometimes have the same problem with flint holder coming loose in my old boy type lighter, but it only takes a minute to open it and tighten it back up.
I have a zippo and the vertigo. Both are fine lighters I feel I have more control over the vertigo but it heats a pipe uP quick.
The little I smoke a pipe, I would have to say matches…that’s what they use at the pipe smoking competition if I remember right. Three matches and a tamper…last man smoldering wins!
I did know an old man who smoked a pipe and had a lighter that resembled a fire hydrant, when pulled apart, the flame came out the center. Down draft in the bowl…I liked that one!
@Bart My grandfather used one of those! Perfect light for him every time.
That would be a Nimrod, nice lighter but very small fuel capacity, gotta fill it every day.
If you know where to look you can find a vintage Nimrod for sale pretty cheap, I got one for $5 I think. Also someone else started to make a copy of the Nimrod but with a compass on one end. They do work very nicely for a wick lighter. If anyone wants to buy one my friend probably still has a few, let me know and I’ll ask him.
I have 2 Nimrods, cool design but not the greatest, I have had the best performance from my Zippo pipe lighter.
Nimrod also made a zippo-style (flip top) pipe lighter, which I can vouch for also if you can find one.
matches are the best. Especialy cedar matches. Nice wood matches are great for a pipe. That’s my suggestion. Never had a lighter that was as good as matches.
Thanks so much for the information, advice and opinion gentlemen, I really appreciate it. I use matches a lot around the house, but they’re a bit impractical when out and about. I think I’ll start with a Zippo and work outwards from there if I find I want to try something else. I’ll let you know how I get on!
Just as closure to this topic, my Wife has given me a beautiful brushed chrome Zippo pipe lighter as an early Birthday present…it’s great! I really like the way it works, looks and sounds (that classic Zippo “clink” upon opening!). I’ve been using it this morning, no discernable naphtha tainting or problems, lights first time and really gets my Bulldogs blazing. I’ve just smoked a large bowl of Rum Flake and only had to perform two relights, as opposed to the usual five or six. Whether this is due to the efficacy of the lighter or just my improved smoking technique, I don’t know…it’s good though!
Glad to hear that the Zippo is working out. I have three and they are indispensible to me!!
It’s great, I can understand why you have three! Such a simple concept and brilliantly executed. The lifetime guarantee is pretty special, too.
If I had 35 quid to blow, I’d go for a new pipe!! Can’t have too many pipes, and with a good hunt around you’ll have no problems getting a decent pipe for 35 notes. In the meantime, yeah, matches for me, the good old ‘Cook’s Matches’. Long, and a great big box for 89p. Can’t be bad!!
@henwrench, I would normally spend it on a pipe but I’ve got 14 or so pipes, mostly estates that I’ve restored, and my good lady wife wanted to get me something special and different for my birthday. I’m thrilled with the Zippo, works a treat!
I think, to only light a Zippo once, makes you a convert. Just be sure to stop filling the instant the bottom pile becomes saturated. I have light my hands aflame at least twice.
I like to carry my grandad’s vintage Zippo as well as the others I own but I prefer to use the butane pipe lighter insert rather than the standard lighter fluid insert.